"Tonight, we will honor the greatest writers in America with a modest 9 by 12 certificate and a check for three thousand dollars...three thousand dollars? Stephen King makes more than that for writing boo on a cocktail napkin." - Jimmy Breslin

It might be against the law in that state, and it might be a foolish thing to do, but a consensual relationship with a 16-year-old is a far cry from child molesting or sexual assault. But I suppose people are going to fall into two categories - the folks who can't separate the character from the puppeteer and get upset because he's not as innocent as Elmo (or because "Elmo" is gay), and those who just delight in seeing celebrities screw up. Neither is likely to make any distinctions.

Kind of indifferent toward Elmo myself. Not the worst muppet, but overrated.

I just get annoyed at the level of sensationalism that's become the norm in journalism these days. So many shocking headlines that are technically true but grossly misleading when you read the story. I don't like to see anyone's reputation trashed over a story that basically attaches exaggerated significance to nothing. Not saying I condone a middle-aged men getting involved with a teenager, but it doesn't make him a sexual predator, which is the conclusion people are inclined to jump to.

I just get annoyed at the level of sensationalism that's become the norm in journalism these days. So many shocking headlines that are technically true but grossly misleading when you read the story. I don't like to see anyone's reputation trashed over a story that basically attaches exaggerated significance to nothing. Not saying I condone a middle-aged men getting involved with a teenager, but it doesn't make him a sexual predator, which is the conclusion people are inclined to jump to.

Oh, I agree with you there. It's kind of gross and really really stupid, but not on the same level as, say, Polanski for example. It's very problematic, both on a legal level and in terms of social attitude, how the term "sex offender" covers such a wide variety of actions.

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"Tonight, we will honor the greatest writers in America with a modest 9 by 12 certificate and a check for three thousand dollars...three thousand dollars? Stephen King makes more than that for writing boo on a cocktail napkin." - Jimmy Breslin

What really ticks me off about cases like this is that they minimize the seriousness of real cases of statutory rape. You hear about someone crying wolf one too many times, and it's not hard to see why a lot of people dismiss all accusations of statutory rape. Some accusations are just that, but it does happen in real life and it's not easy to get a conviction precisely because of crap like this.

What really ticks me off about cases like this is that they minimize the seriousness of real cases of statutory rape. You hear about someone crying wolf one too many times, and it's not hard to see why a lot of people dismiss all accusations of statutory rape. Some accusations are just that, but it does happen in real life and it's not easy to get a conviction precisely because of crap like this.

Exactly, not to mention sexual (and domestic) assault. You have to be a real jerk to lie about something like this for attention/money.

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Through the darkness of future pastThe magician longs to seeOne chance opts between two worldsFire walk with me

What really ticks me off about cases like this is that they minimize the seriousness of real cases of statutory rape. You hear about someone crying wolf one too many times, and it's not hard to see why a lot of people dismiss all accusations of statutory rape. Some accusations are just that, but it does happen in real life and it's not easy to get a conviction precisely because of crap like this.